Our coffee-break escape offers you five minutes' worth of images to inspire and delight. Jump right in...

Is there anything more character-filled and inviting than the raw and rustic or elegantly refined beams of an exposed ceiling? Whether they’re added for aesthetic reasons or maintained to preserve the integrity of a historical building, there’s no doubt that these beams add personality and purity of form to any home they’re featured in. So take a look through this inspiring collection of homes in every style, from country rustic through to urban industrial – it’s sure to have you beaming from ear to ear.

So many different styles, some are quiet and full of style, others are so out there they are totally imposing to my psyche.. way to go for all the individual styles, remember people, these work for the owners who have decided to share their individuality with us.

This article is timely. We were just costing the removal of our downstairs beams (non structural) during renovations as I was stuck on what to do with them aesthetically and couldn't live with them as they are. I am loving the partial ceiling look and think that would fit. I painted our beams in spare bedroom giving a scandi-beach look, but feel the beams in living area are ridiculously big and imposing with the flat ceiling, and are a totally different size to the other rooms. Watch this space everyone and thank you for the inspiration.